Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Chapheni Kraush
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While Daniel and Ares were talking...
The rooftop of Aios Academy was buzzing with a conversation about romance, too.
"W-What do you think?"
Arni Duratan, who everyone thought only cared about greatswords, had made a lunch using a kitchen knife.
Eve and Tana chewed thoughtfully, then nodded.
"It's a bit salty, but pretty good."
"Compared to the first time, it's a huge improvement. Arni, don't tell me you have a hidden talent for cooking too?"
"I-I practice every day."
Thanks to that, the Duratan name—famous for swordsmanship—was shedding tears lately. She spent more time wielding a kitchen knife and prepping ingredients than swinging her sword.
"I think you're ready to give it a shot now. Why don't you tell him tomorrow?"
"You think?"
Tana smiled contentedly as Arni's cheeks flushed pink.
'Yeah, this is how a girl in love should be. Not like some people acting like it's none of their business.'
Tana shot a glance at Eve, who was happily devouring Arni's lunch, and sighed.
Misunderstanding the sigh, Arni panicked.
"I-It still bothers you, right? Sorry."
"Huh? No, I told you I don't like Ares anymore."
Tana had liked Ares once, trailing after him, but those feelings had cooled. Still, she wanted to cheer Arni on.
"I guess I didn't like him as much as I thought."
It had felt like a roaring blaze at the time, sparked by the smallest flame. But now that it was out, it didn't seem like such a big deal.
"Doesn't that make Ares easier pickings now? All the girls who liked him gave up."
"Is 'gave up' the right way to put it...?"
Arni muttered with a complicated expression. Sure, from her perspective, it was great that her fierce rivals were out of the picture. But looking back, had they really been rivals?
Elise had suddenly started chasing Daniel the moment break ended. She'd always kept her elegant poise while pursuing Ares, but now she'd tossed all that aside.
Sen seemed completely over it. Lately, she'd been throwing herself into all sorts of activities, and her face even looked brighter.
Hayun had confessed and gotten rejected—or so she said. But watching her talk about it, she seemed more relieved than heartbroken.
And Adriana had straight-up dropped out of school.
"They all got tangled up with Daniel and changed, right?"
"Yep."
Eve nodded at Tana's words.
"Better stay away from that guy."
Daniel McClane was unwittingly turning into a guy who charmed all the girls.
"That's why I told you—just stick with me."
May puffed up proudly, and honestly, I had to admit she had a point.
She'd amazingly driven off Elise!
Class had ended, and I was working out as usual when Elise came sniffing around like a dog catching a scent.
At this point, she was starting to scare me, but I had no idea how to deal with her.
If I cursed her out or tried to hit her, her eyes would sparkle like "Do it!"
My only option was to run, but that's when May Plob stepped in.
Just like last time, she punched Elise for me and sent her packing!
Elise must've been fine taking hits from me but hated it from May, because she stormed off fuming while May strutted around triumphantly.
"Honestly, thanks."
Just for chasing that girl away, I was grateful. May, looking pleased, sidled up close and said,
"Tomorrow's the weekend. Wanna head downtown and grab something to eat?"
"Nah, pass."
"Jerk."
I ignored her and kept exercising, but she plopped down beside me and stared blankly at my workout.
I figured she'd leave soon, but an hour passed and she was still glued to the spot, watching only me. Finally, I gave up, wiped my sweat, and asked,
"Isn't it boring just sitting there watching?"
"Nah, it's fun. And what if Elise shows up again when I'm not around?"
"...Fair point."
"You wouldn't get it, but watching the person you like do anything is enjoyable."
"Hey!"
"Hahaha! Look at your red face! Does it make your heart race? Wanna hug me tight and shower me with kisses?"
"Get lost! Just scram!"
"Aw, why? Hurry up and finish your workout so we can eat, honey."
"I'm seriously gonna get mad."
Lately, with others crossing lines, she was starting to test boundaries too. When I said it seriously, May deflated and replied,
"If you're gonna get mad, do it in bed."
"You little... Get over here. You're dead."
"Kyahaha! Unlike Elise, I don't like getting hit!"
I sighed as May bolted away laughing.
She used to be terrified of me back in the day. What had changed her so much?
'Guess it's growth.'
Teasing someone scary showed she was growing up.
As I pondered how to rein these girls in or make them lose interest, I spotted people entering the academy's main gate.
"Hm?"
They wore uniforms suggesting military, but it felt more like they were restraining the person following behind rather than escorting.
The important part? I recognized the boy sandwiched between them.
"Chapheni Kraush?"
He was much thinner than when he'd attended the academy before, but it was definitely him.
The bastard who'd made a drug to turn into my face and sexually assaulted Eve.
And now he was coming back into the academy.
"Don't talk nonsense!"
The Dean spat out her words like lava.
She was furious at the psychologist before her, but he just smirked mockingly.
"This is a chance for the students to resolve their own traumas. As the Dean of the academy, you should know that."
"Students? What trauma does the perpetrator have?!"
The psychologist clicked his tongue at the raging Dean.
"To think someone like you holds the Dean's position. Even prestigious Aios Academy has fallen. Victims get trauma, of course, but perpetrators develop guilt and depression from their actions too."
Like a missionary preaching to fools, the man foamed at the mouth as he shouted,
"Do you understand? Even during his trial and in juvenile detention, Student Chapheni repented his sins and longed to apologize to the victim! He was the purest soul!"
"That doesn't mean you ignore the victim's wishes...!"
"We're not ignoring them! If the victim doesn't want it, we won't force a meeting! But we hope she'll understand! Apology and forgiveness! Overcoming trauma! How beautiful is that?!"
"..."
"We'll stay here. I hope the victim shows even a shred of mercy."
The door slammed shut behind the departing psychologist.
"...He's gone."
"Isn't that guy a total psycho?"
I emerged from the secret room hidden in the Dean's office, annoyed.
She'd made it after I punched her once, saying she needed an escape route for emergencies.
Anyway.
"I refused like you said. Sigh, I don't know. That guy's completely nuts."
I could tell at a glance he was after contact with Eve, so I'd rushed to the Dean and told her to shut it down firmly.
'They're sticking around?'
He'd said they'd stay at the academy until Eve agreed to meet—like refusing made her the bad guy.
"Haa."
I didn't want to tell Eve about this at all.
Her trauma could relapse hard.
"Probably for his record. Counselors get prestige from perpetrators apologizing and victims forgiving."
"What a fucking psycho."
"Yeah."
"No matter what they say, refuse absolutely. Don't let them into the academy casually. Who knows what they'd do if Eve saw them."
"I know, that's why I begged you not to radiate killing intent from the Dean's office."
"I'm out."
Once again feeling why the God of Death had Rin try to end the world, I headed to find Eve.
I wasn't planning to tell her, but just in case, I wandered looking for her.
And right then—Eve and Tana talking to the psychologist.
Shocked, I clenched my fist and charged. Hit first, think later.
With lunatics like this trying to force victims and perps together, no wonder the God of Death wanted to wipe out the world with Rin.
"So, you see..."
The moment I swung at the psychologist's face—
Thud.
My fist stopped by a thick hand.
A burly, rough-looking brute standing between me and the counselor glared down at me.